The Artful Escape

 Xbox Series X
The Artful Escape Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Artful Escape of Francis Vendetti is a video game about great expectations, famous folk singers, lingering shadows, space Gods, hallucinogens, individuality, reptile shops, and wild imaginations. It's an action, adventure, exploration, narrative driven, musical-laser-light-battle kind of game.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. NME
    Sep 8, 2021
    100
    The Artful Escape is beautiful, sad, compelling and mind-blowing in equal measure. It’s more of a concept album than it is a game and that’s fine, because with so many set-pieces, such well-realised vignettes, and such awe-inspiring talent behind it, you’re more than happy to sit down and take in the journey as your fingers dance on the pad from time to time to keep the game moving forward. You’ve heard of prog rock music before, but this might be the first prog-rock game.
  2. TheXboxHub
    Sep 8, 2021
    90
    The Artful Escape is well worth the wait. An exciting, well-acted feast for the senses, it does not disappoint. There are a couple of technical issues that need to be sorted, but on the whole, games this imaginative and enthralling don't come along very often.
  3. TheGamer
    Sep 8, 2021
    90
    Annapurna Interactive has a staggering back catalogue, but 2021 has frankly not been great for the publisher. Last Stop failed to leave any kind of impact, Maquette is a game with Bryce Dallas Howard in it and not much else, and Twelve Minutes, despite being loaded with star-power, wastes its time loop mechanic in service of a ridiculous twist ending that derails the entire game. With The Artful Escape, plus Neon White, Stray, and Solar Ash to come in the near future, it feels like Annapurna is back.
  4. GameSkinny
    Sep 8, 2021
    80
    Though it's a relatively short and easy game, The Artful Escape is also a charming, witty spectacle from start to finish in its six or so hours of playtime. I loved Francis' story and the far-away lands he visits on his quest to believe in himself and write his own future. I can foresee some players scoffing at the entire project for its particular brand of humor, but expect it will be adored by drama kids, garage rockers, and general outcasts all over. The Artful Escape plays like a psychedelic jam band session and tells a story like someone spiked Wes Anderson's Darjeeling tea.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Oct 1, 2021
    80
    The Artful Escape is an enigmatic coming of age story, wrapped in reverb-laden riffs and space opera shenanigans. It is quite unique, and absolutely unmissable.
  6. Hardcore Gamer
    Sep 9, 2021
    80
    The Artful Escape may not have particularly deep or challenging gameplay, but the main reason to attend this show is its incredible writing and Francis’ trippy, out-of-this-world journey in discovering his new persona, one which features a lot of nifty twists in various ways, alongside truly striking sci-fi visuals and an expertly-crafted soundtrack. The Artful Escape is an astonishing rock and roll epic that the likes of Ziggy Stardust would be proud of.
  7. VideoGamer
    Sep 8, 2021
    50
    The lack of challenge in The Artful Escape, not just in its play but in its emotional texture, somewhat shreds the odyssey.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
  1. Nusferatu_DUDE
    Sep 13, 2021
    10
    Amazing game that gave me a lot of emotions, I saw where the inspiration came from which made my experience even better. It might not be theAmazing game that gave me a lot of emotions, I saw where the inspiration came from which made my experience even better. It might not be the most challenging game, in fact its an easy one, but its a beautiful one, made with heart! the art, the music, the story.... all works really well, a fresh breath of air between all the AAA games. I couldn't recommend it enough, hopefully it will give you the same amazing emotions it gave me!… Expand
  2. Midget007
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Audio video masterpiece. Such a joy to play. Incredible voice acting. It is basically a playable Wes Anderson movie complete with dioramasAudio video masterpiece. Such a joy to play. Incredible voice acting. It is basically a playable Wes Anderson movie complete with dioramas and Jason Swartzman.… Expand
  4. dafunkk
    May 9, 2022
    9
    TLDR: 8.5/10, a very fun, beautiful and memorable way to spend 5 hours

    Two important disclaimers: 1. I played this game on Game Pass, I    TLDR: 8.5/10, a very fun, beautiful and memorable way to spend 5 hours

    Two important disclaimers: 1. I played this game on Game Pass, I cannot imagine paying more than the cost of a movie ticket for it. 2. This is not a game in the traditional sense. At all.

    I can understand the negative reviews. This is basically one part walking sim, one part adventure game, one part rhythm game and all of that is smothered in beautiful art and wonderful music. If you want something with legit gameplay, look elsewhere. This game is more of an "interactive experience." Personally, I found it very refreshing, I loved the characters and the voice acting. The music was phenomenal and the graphics, settings and story were all top notch. Not quite on the level of Journey but certainly lives in the same neighborhood inside my heart.    … Expand
  5. BWT
    Sep 11, 2021
    8
    The game is truly unique. I liked the visuals, the music and space opera vibe. it's not about challenge, it's some sort of meditation.
  6. zezeljmare
    Jun 24, 2022
    8
    EN:
    Magical! Great indie game, with a great story, a solid dose of humor, a brilliant soundtrack and a beautiful visual design. A hidden gem!    EN:
    Magical! Great indie game, with a great story, a solid dose of humor, a brilliant soundtrack and a beautiful visual design. A hidden gem!

    SRB:
    Magično! Sjajna indie igra, sa odličnom pričom, solidnom dozom humora, brilijantnim sountrackom i prelepim vizuelnim dizajnom. Skriveni dragulj!    … Expand
  7. churros
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    Pros:
    + character customization
    + great voice acting + characters personality + beautiful scenery + funny writing Cons: - repetitive    Pros:
    + character customization
    + great voice acting
    + characters personality
    + beautiful scenery
    + funny writing

    Cons:
    - repetitive music
    - too little gameplay
    - wonky platforming    … Expand
  8. Adamsfamily
    Sep 15, 2021
    3
    I can hardly call it a game.You go left and right,sometimes jump and if you hold x,something moves in the background,but there isn't anyI can hardly call it a game.You go left and right,sometimes jump and if you hold x,something moves in the background,but there isn't any challenge.At the end of each level there is a boss battle,but you just have to press the glowing buttons.
    I think the creators didn't have any concept and they simply made the game colorful to sell it.    … Expand

See all 35 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

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